Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-Z of Supplements (Prescription for Nutritional Healing: A-To-Z Guide to Supplements)

In Chapter One: Nutrition, Diet and Wellness, the author provides the basics of nutrition, from the 4 basic nutrients to the micronutrients plus guidelines for selecting and preparing foods. This section includes an interesting article on phytochemicals (biologically active substances in plants that give them their color and flavour).

The chapters that follow provides an overview of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and water, explaining their functions in the body and then providing a detailed discussion of the individual vitamins, minerals and amino acids. The chapter on water discusses various types like tap, artesian, bottled, sparkling, distilled and natural spring water.

The chapter on anti-oxidants looks at a wide spectrum of substances, from Alpha-Lipoic Acid to Zinc. The next chapter deals with enzymes, their role in the body and how they interact with foods. This includes a list of commercially available digestive enzymes.

Natural Food Supplements are discussed in detail, from Acidophilus to Yeast; this section includes entries on SAMe, Phosphatidylserine, MSM, Melatonin, Glucosamine, DHEA, CoQ10, Colloidal Silver, Creatine and Pregnenolone, providing the latest information.

The last chapter is devoted to herbs, including essential oils, extracts, teas, tinctures and wines. Here one can find information on anything from Acerola to Yucca, divided into the parts of the plant that is used, its phytochemical and nutrient content, its actions and uses and further comments on the plant.

The valuable and handy guide concludes with a thorough index. Another excellent guide to supplements is Earl Mindell's Supplement Bible. For a more thorough treatment of nutritional healing, I recommend James and Phyllis Balch's extensive work Prescription For Nutritional Healing.


A Wealth of Information   April 1, 2003
 10 out of 11 found this review helpful

This book contains a wealth of information for those seeking a nutritional solution to health problems. It is divided into three parts with the first section devoted to a discussion of the relationship between nutrition, diet and wellness and the importance of vitamins, minerals, water, amino acids, antioxidants, enzymes, natural food supplements and herbs. The second part contains descriotions of common disorders and nutritional recommendations for their cure and the third part gives an overview of such traditional treatments as juicing and hydrotherapy. Although many general references are made to the latest research, this book is in no way a resource on research in the health field.